LONDON, Aug 19: Almost inconceivably, England head for the fourth Test at Headingley level with South Africa and with every chance of snatching a series lead.

Anyone who sat through the first two Tests would not have given them a prayer.

England batted poorly, fielded abysmally and flung down copious quantities of badly aimed pies, leaving coach Duncan Fletcher to cite his bowlers’ inexperience in mitigation.

South Africa captain Graeme Smith, meanwhile, demolished one batting record after another.

It is England, however, who have the edge this week after winning at Trent Bridge to square the five-match series at 1-1.

Fortune played its part but Michael Vaughan will not apologise for that.

South Africa, foiled by rain at Lord’s after a win at Edgbaston which prompted Nasser Hussain’s departure as captain, won the first two tosses of the series.

The third, won by Vaughan, proved even more important as the Trent Bridge track began to crumble from day two.

England, in effect, won the game on the Thursday. Smith, indeed, pointed out that his side had done well to compete for as long as they did. “My boys,” he said. “Showed immense character to take the match into five days.”

They will need to show even more at Headingley, especially if they lose the toss again.

Shaun Pollock is the one world-class bowler in either side and took six for 39 in the second innings in Nottingham. But he will miss the match to be at his wife’s side for the birth of their child.

Without him, the sides look reasonably matched. Both Smith and Vaughan know Pollock’s value. “He’s one hell of a player to replace,” said Vaughan.

England may start without strike bowler Steve Harmison (calf problem) but his omission may yet prove a blessing in disguise.

Headingley has historically been a result-pitch, and one often exploited by swing bowlers. Harmison relies on express pace and lift.

Quicks Martin Bicknell — who greeted his surprise recall to the squad at the age of 34 by saying: “I thought someone was having a bit of a laugh” — and the in-form Kabir Ali, included as cover for Harmison, may be more suited to the conditions.—Reuters